Brian Lainhart named Walnut Hills football coach

Brian Lainhart was named the Walnut Hills head football coach on Tuesday night, according to Walnut Hills athletic director Tom Donnelly.

Brian Lainhart was named the Walnut Hills football coach Tuesday night.(Photo: Provided)

Lainhart, 28, was the St. Xavier cornerbacks coach the past two seasons. He played on Colerain's 2004 Division I state championship team as a junior.

Lainhart also played safety at Kent State. He signed as an undrafted free agent with the Bengals in 2011. He also had opportunities with Cleveland, New England and Baltimore.

Lainhart said Walnut Hills was an opportunity he couldn't pass up.

"It's an untapped place and that's what is so exciting about it," Lainhart told Cincinnati.com by phone this afternoon. "It's a gold mine. I would kick myself if I didn't take it."

Lainhart says he can't wait to have the Eagles get started in the weight room Jan. 4.

Lainhart said the Walnut Hills administration has showed significant support for his plan for the football team.

"The support they have for athletics and the passion they have in football matches the enthusiasm I have for winning," Lainhart said.

Lainhart hasn't announced his entire coaching staff yet but he said he expects former Colerain standout offensive lineman Connor Smith will be the OL coach. Brandon Lainhart, Brian's brother and a former Colerain player, will likely coach the outside linebackers and defensive ends.

Former Colerain standout Cobrani Mixon will likely be the linebackers coach. St. Xavier running backs/strength and conditioning coach Terrell Williams will likely be the strength coach. His son, former Colerain fullback Tramell Williams, will coach the running backs.

Former Poland Seminary standout Luke Wollet, who played with Kent State and had an opportunity with the Saints in 2013, is expected to coach the defensive backs.